Jimmy Fallon and Will Ferrell performing their famous “tight pants” skit

A few weeks ago I was contacted by one of a number of active elders who are “awakened” from Watchtower indoctrination, but who must keep up a pretense of being loyal to the organization due to being threatened with shunning.

This elder told me that he had recently attended the special meeting between his circuit overseer and the local body of elders.

There was little I could do about this story at the time, because it was one anonymous person’s anecdotal account that was impossible to corroborate. Occasionally I have to put a story like this on the back-burner until further details emerge.

But then, to my delight, a bethelite recently approached me with parts of the circuit overseer “outline” featuring the exact material the elder described. Scans of the pertinent parts are below. You will notice that circuit overseers are only to start discussing the material once ministerial servants have been dismissed from their part of the meeting…

Three things stand out about the above instructions to elders. Perhaps most significantly, the guidelines shamelessly discriminate against people who, by their nature, display traits of the opposite sex.

Homosexuality has long been condemned by the organization thanks to various passages from the Bible. But now Watchtower is taking matters one step further. It is not enough to simply refrain from acting on one’s homosexual impulses, which are widely acknowledged to be with someone from childhood rather than being learned behavior, as Watchtower insists.

In the wake of these new guidelines, merely acting in a camp or effeminate way if you are male, or in a tom-boyish way if you are a female, is enough to render you a second-class citizen if you are a Jehovah’s Witness.

This removes arguably the last argument commonly used in defending the organization’s homophobic stance – that it is okay to be gay so long as you don’t act on it. Now a person’s very nature is being brought under scrutiny, and elders now have a free license to inflict misery on any Witness who wrestles with their feelings toward others of their gender even if they are being careful to observe the bible’s prohibitions on homosexuality.

The second, rather obvious point is that sanctioning the kind of clothes someone wears is the very essence of totalitarianism. These latest instructions could have come straight out of a page of George Orwell’s 1984.

Whether someone chooses to wear tight fitting clothes or not, or is inclined to wear their hair in a style reminiscent of the opposite sex, is clearly a personal choice and has nothing whatsoever to do with whether they are a good person or not. Watchtower’s obsession with appearance demonstrates to any reasonable onlooker that the organization is now primarily concerned with the superficial rather than the spiritual – with the earthly rather than the heavenly.

It would be hard to imagine Jesus pulling someone to one side and scolding them because their garments were too “tight fitting,” “revealing” or “highlighted the body.” By contrast, Watchtower is now pursuing such trifling matters with pharasaical fervor, to the point of telling someone they can’t go preaching if they don’t fall in line. (I understand many ex-Witnesses reading this would feel relieved to be banned from the tedious door-to-door work, but let’s remember the mindset of indoctrinated Witnesses, who feel their participation in the ministry is a life-or-death matter.)

It was in 1 Corinthians 4:6 that Paul (whose words are so often quoted in support of Watchtower’s ideas about clothing) is reported to have instructed: “Do not go beyond the things that are written.” It will be difficult for any Witness reading this information to not see that this is precisely what the Governing Body is unashamedly doing – going beyond what is written in the Bible and making up new, arbitrary rules based on nothing more than personal opinion and preference.

For some reason known only to the likes of Tony Morris, the style of dress and grooming that was fashionable in the 1950s is what God has in mind for all Christians if they want to survive Armageddon, and anyone who wears anything more modern and fashionable is treading on thin ice.

This brings me to my third and final observation, which is to note the ease with which Tony Morris’ personal homophobic fixations have translated into official Watchtower policy.

As I noted at the time of his eccentric ramblings at the 2014 U.S. branch visit (see above), the smartest thing for the Governing Body to do in the wake of Tony’s ludicrous performance would have been to eject him from their inner circle. Doing so would have sent a powerful no-nonsense message that the Bible is the organization’s sole authority, and there is no room for egos or personal crusades.

Instead, with the issuing of this circuit overseer outline, the Governing Body has done the opposite. They have shown that either (1) they are easily manipulated by a strong personality, or (2) they have shared Morris’ “metrosexual” concerns all along and just didn’t have the guts to enact laws on the subject until now.

Either way, the evidence that the Governing Body is deluded and completely unworthy of respect or veneration is there for all to see. And as yet more secretive, eyes-only material like the above continues to seep from Watchtower’s increasingly porous walls, we are being treated to a warts-and-all portrait of a backwards bunch of senile, deluded men with nothing left to offer but narrow-mindedness, bigotry, and a doomsday fantasy.

If you need help figuring if denim jeans or pants slacks are approved most halls, back on the information board have a nice little full color brochure to help you see how to dress, both formally and informally, obstenely it’s for visiting bethel facilities, however, most c.o.’s have instructed local bodys to leave it there so that the publishers “know whats expected from them”

Your comment about reconnecting with family surely resonates with a lot of us. So many ways to go about it. Sometimes a simple “I’m sorry I made a mistake and I’d really like to spend some time with you” would be enough to open some of the doors. Meet for coffee or invite them over. You’re in the driver’s seat and you can go about it any way you’re comfortable. I’ve been in the process myself for a little while now. It’s such a realignment of thinking for us as jw’s. But it is paying off I’m happy to say. I’m confident you’ll have success. Regards

Lloyd/Admin, please have a look back at yesterday and today’s comments. This will be the most repulsive act yet, if it is what it appears to be. I don’t know technically what your options are, but hopefully it’s possible to block someone’s IP address so that no matter what ID they try to use, they can’t get on. I can send you a private message if you don’t catch what I’m talking about. Thank you.

“Rules create more rules”. That is so true, the orgs,
strict ruling on neutrality prompted questions. from
W,T, readers asking for rulings on the rule.– Is the
bread delivery man violating neutrality by delivering
to an army camp? Is it alright to pay the political levy
that’s added to your union dues? ( I had a heated
argument with our union steward, I refused to pay the
6p levy, he said I was splitting hairs. Which of course
I was, I’m embarrassed to think of it.)

As regards the walking, it’s a little bit slower these days
but I’m accepting the modern view that 80 is the new
60. And the margin could be even less when you get
there Excelsior, you could be sprinting round your chosen
route, or like one person in the news recently, you could
could be celebrating your centenary with a sky dive.
Best wishes, Ted.
—————————————————–
Rob & Pow. Good supplementary comments. Many thanks.

Someone said to me once what a Man Soweth thou shall ye reap . I found Psalm 36v.1 really encourages me where it says ‘The utterance of transgression to the wicked one is in the midst of his heart; There is no dread of God in front of his eyes.’ .. I don’t know if anyone has any opinion on this advice?

You were so well-liked, Pickled Brain. I would guess that some here would somehow STILL be able to rationalize liking you, because you’ve meant so much to them. How could you devolve into the most offensive commenter and greatest liability on this whole site in such a short period of time?

Coldly chiding Anonymous, one of the most genuine, thoughtful commenters on the site, was reprehensible and unconscionable. Now, you’ve come back with a lie regarding your opinion of her mental state as your original motivation, which is really just a transparent, half-assed excuse to justify treating her so badly.

Then, you repeatedly attacked Excelsior, again one of the most insightful and well-respected commenters on the site, with incessant, bizarre taunts that sound like they’re coming from the mind and mouth of an eight-year-old.

Then, you challenged Lloyd to remove you by posting a hate-filled rant about obese people and homosexuals, and even added some sacrilege to it in the middle.

Most disgustingly to me, because it threatens the foundation of trust this site is built on, you then posed as someone searching for truth, and even went on to reply to a young man with a very serious issue just so you could wink at your own lack of insight and then make another inappropriate joke.

I’m embarrassed that I fell for your initial comment as that character. More importantly though, I’m disturbed by the fact that I now have to wonder whether or not a new person seeking encouragement is really just you wanting to keep playing your appalling game.

And now, a new character is born, and you’ve added the misuse of the Bible as part of your game to your list of offenses. I hope that will settle the issue in the minds of your remaining supporters as to how unhealthy you’ve become to this site.

As much as I liked you in the past, I wanted you out of here as soon as you started your second round of insults toward Excelsior, me, Anonymous and others. But you got another chance, and all you did with that chance is commit offenses that were more egregious than the ones you started with.

I’m not sparring with you right now. Don’t be trying to think of a reply that you think will score some points against me, or anyone else. You’ve always portrayed yourself as a believer. I’m not. But if you really are, then ask yourself what God thinks of you reveling in all of the chaos you’ve created on a site that exists for the purpose of educating and encouraging those who have been hurt by a cult that has proven itself to be such an enemy to Him.

Find a way to understand that you need to stop this activity of yours that is so detrimental to the health of this profoundly important site. Please.

I agree. How anyone could turn on Anonymous is beyond me. There are so many brilliant posters here that I look forward to reading, Anonymous is without doubt my favourite poster. Her knowledge and writing style are absolutely brilliant, she makes so much sense to me. I look forward to more posts from Anonymous and I hope this person has not put her off.

When I was a teenager, I overheard an Elder and several MS making derogatory and offensive remarks about my sweet, kind and sincere mother. This made me feel sick. As she walked past them, they were sweetness and light to her face, exchanging pleasantries with her; I felt even sicker then.

Some of that group of brothers are still in the position of Elder within the same congregation and some are now ex-JWs; they may even be readers and commentators of JW Survey.

I had no desire to be friendly towards anyone who exhibited these behaviours when I was in the Org, and I have no desire to be friendly with them now, be they ex-JWs / anti-JWs or not.

To bring such insulting behaviour to this site is equally sickening, especially as most people here are hurting and have suffered due to the JW-Org.

I was most upset to read the unkind remarks directed at anonymous and my good friend Excelsior.

In the past I have supported commentators who are working undercover as active-JWs, and I will continue to commend such ones for their genuine efforts. My once Elder father was awoken by an active-JW who had furtively done his homework and prior to leaving the Org to become a visible activist, worked hard as a “double agent” to enlighten others in the KH about TTATT. I am eternally grateful to that brother for his invaluable undercover work.

Wanderer, thank you so much for what you said. Lots of times, I feel that I am really running off at the mouth and they might be irritating to read as they get so long at times.

I am so grateful for all of you who have stuck up for me and said you enjoy my comments!

Being able to get our thoughts down helps us so much mentally, instead of the thoughts driving us nuts during the night when we wake up during the night and have nobody we can talk to about it.

When I first “woke up”, I had the idea to write a book about how awful it is to be a Witness but then the more I researched and the more experiences I saw here and on other youtube videos, I realized that I am not the “only” one going through this hell and we all have a “book” inside of us, I am sure. That is not a good thing to say about our religion. All I can say about it is that instead of making me happy, it made every single day of my life depressing. The only good thing I can say is that I have three children that I love and if it wasn’t for my religion, they would not exist.

When I first woke up, I felt completely alone in my revelations about the Society but now I know there are probably thousands who are in the same boat as me and we could all write our own book about what we are going through and have gone through.

Knowing what the real truth is about the “truth” and not being able to tell our closest friends and relatives is living in a “hell” that nobody else can understand unless you are one going through the same experience too. That is why Lloyd’s idea of this web site is a godsend for all of us. It is saving our lives and I am so glad for having an outlet for my feelings!

Whoa Nellie, with the soon coming of the series of horrible events resulting in the end of the world including the sickening and very violent deaths of all but a handful of earth’s inhabitants, THIS is what the Watchtower worries about?
We are truly seeing the ultimate “Cookie Cutter” religion on overload. Be Different and Beware.
If any of you are familiar with the terribly repressive country North Korea, the Watchtower seems to taking lessons from the infamous Kim family.
North Korean men have their choice of 3 hairstyles, women 5; if you try to be different, you may be killed or imprisoned along with 3 generations of your family. Clothing for the men is restricted to a black suit, white shirt and red tie, the women have their choice of three colors of the very blousey, flowing dresses covering the wrists to the ankles and up to the neck Informal wear is also restricted to very utilitarian, ultra conservative styles, oh and the pin with the faces of the former Great Leaders is a must wear.
We have long since left the notion that a woman’s dress plays any role in assault or rape incidents. Rapists rape because of their sick need to be in power, to control another being, is the Watchtower any different by attributing a person’s character to the clothes on their back?
Where is the joy, the freedom promised to those who follow Jesus?

I am a happy Metrosexual, which has nothing whatsoever to do with a confusion of one’s sexuality or wearing feminine like clothing. The term simply describes a man who is concerned with details in his dress. That may mean wearing clothes that are tailored to fit well or taking time to shine your shoes, sometimes wearing cuff links, ties that match your shirt and suit, your belt having the same color as your shoes etc. In what should be a positive, Metrosexuals avoid the sloppy/dressing down tendency. But what the Hey, these folks have no clue as to what spandex, Spanx or even a woman’s work out clothing might describe.
It would be so positive and refreshing for the leadership to be more concerned with domestic violence, a lack of mutual respect in marriage as well as the need to treasure the talents of each spouse making for a stronger relationship. I guess this might be a ways off until god sees fit to bless a woman with a larger brain. Clearly Metrosexual thinking.

*is it just me or was anyone else horrified by the call to “Readjust the thinking” of the flock? If you don’t see “1984” or North Korea in such words, you may be suffering from blind faith syndrome.

On further investigation, it seems this individual uses the same email address for each comment, but rotating IP addresses, which indicates a level of sophistication – not to mention considerable persistence and underhandedness.

Posting under multiple identities, especially with a seeming intent to stir up arguments and controversy, is a clear violation of this website’s commenting feature, which is intended to help people express themselves on the topics raised in the articles.

Apart from anything else, it is extremely burdensome for me to have to give up time that I would like to spend making videos or writing articles in order to deal with unnecessary, manufactured controversy.

Though I have blocked the email address, it will be impossible to block him/her next time they re-emerge given that they will likely switch to a new email address and continue rotating IP addresses.

It is also extremely likely he/she will try posting again since they have left 1,011 comments since they started posting nearly a year ago in November 2014.

I request the help of our valued regular posters in being vigilant to any potential re-emergence of “Pickled Brain” by notifying us of anything unduly suspicious.

I would also like to introduce “Admin Julia” who is joining our team to help moderate the increasingly busy comments sections of our articles. Please help make her work as easy as possible by sticking closely to our Posting Guidelines.

And as a final word on commenting, please note that if your comment is held for moderation and you genuinely believe you have said nothing untoward, there is no malice intended on our part. It is just that our spam filter (which shields us from an unending torrent of undesirable comments) has detected something fairly innocuous about your comment that it associates with spam. Please be assured we will clear your comment from the “pending” list as quickly as we can, and in the meantime we appreciate your patience, understanding and cooperation.

[Edit: Please also note that any future comments containing “pickle” either in the username or text will be flagged by our spam filter.]

Thanks so much Cedars for your due diligence. We all value your hard work in our behalf. I must say I never found much substance in the posts from these above user names. Mostly the same continuous, repetitive banter and replies to others comments. Good riddance for posts that were a waste of everyone’s time.

Oh No then I felt mad for the wrong reasons while all of this was going on because of pickled brain. I wonder what it means when a person does something like that? I was really excited a co wife was with us. Even so this web site makes me feel better. There are good loving people on here. Far far far from being mentally diseased. Pickled brain doesn’t even act like a JW. Pb doesn’t act like an x JW either. People usually want to be liked and accepted. I feel better because people here do research. That’s enlightenment and I need that. It’s taken me a full year to feel normal again. I need you guys.

I remember one time I was really mad at something written and Meredith said the right thing and calmed me down. What she wrote shows the kind of person she is. She makes peace. Many on this website are peace makers and have good reason. This web site is important to me. I sign on five times a day. You guys are important to me. Wow, we go through a lot together and that’s a compliment.

I just read this. Thank you so much Catalina. That makes me feel good. Your comment is peaceful in itself. And you are so right. There are so many on here who are peacemakers. Makes you realise that there is some kind of purpose to all of this.

I understand you Pickled Brain. I know how we are all products of our environment, whether good or bad. The Watchtower can produce pretty nasty stuff. I guess what I was trying to say previously was that, while still being in it, one can reflect it’s traits.

For many, who have escaped, these traits are repulsive and frightening. For someone still in it, this does not ring true as they are only seeing things on their side of the fence. I did not explain myself very well as I did not want to offend anybody personally. That was what I meant and I am sorry if I caused you pain. I must have sounded very angry. I was I guess. Too emotional. I know you are a good soul with a big heart under a lot of pressure. We are all learning and growing.

For all those who wished me well…a big hug. The Cardio procedure was a complete success. I chose to refuse transfusion and opted for Cell Saver instead. My choice… no religious pressure.

Unfortunately 24 hours after discharge I had developed a massive Chest infection and was Blue lighted to A&E. Never had Morphine before, but it sure makes the world a happy place and a strange sensation when you are facing the back of the ambulance and you think you are going forward! Get outta here…magic way to be snatched from the jowls of death! So, so very grateful for my family and the Paramedics.

Anyhow, I am just a tad sad to read about a potential cyber troll…. nasty little gremlins… a bit like the bacteria that took over my lungs in my hour of weakness.

Don’t give up…any of you that have an open heart. People who need People…are the luckiest people in the world.

Make this site a place to be proud of. Thank you, Lloyd. It has take more than 30 years of isolation and mental loneliness to break free of WT grip. Many here are not just awakening….they are breathing deeply again…and punching for the moon.

Gem, I am so glad you are okay after your procedure and I am also so happy that after 30 years of suffering from the “isolation and mental loneliness” that the Society makes us go through after we learn the truth about the “truth” that you are finally “breathing deeply and punching for the moon”!!!

What would be so wonderful is if, once we learn the real “truth” that we could warn all those we know and love so they can get out of it too. I am not a big believer in God but I do think there is something about demons and if anything is demonic, it is the Watchtower Society in the way it isolates those who “wake up” away from the rest who are still brainwashed into thinking that God could have anything to do with it.

errm: it was quite a loud knock. I did die once before (under the knife), but that was very peaceful, and I was unaware of 36hours on the ICU…this time I just could not breathe and was “drowning” in front of the paramedics.

The first time, changed my life and my raison d’etre…because I had “an out of body” experience. This would be a topic I would love to throw in for debate some time. I have a few very sane and very pragmatic associates that have experienced the same. Another time…. After Tight Pants Tony has embarrassed himself to the max.

This manipulative, untrustworthy individual has finally been revealed.

I would like to thank everyone who has supported me during this trying time. It gladdens my heart to know that so many people genuinely respect and appreciate me. Thank you very much.

Needless to say, that disgustingly fake apology has not been accepted!

We need to be trusting, but we must also be cautious. Sadly, there are some very nasty people who like nothing better than upsetting other people.

With the revelations of the level of effort and expertise required, it would not surprise me in the least if this individual is an agent of our real enemy, the WTBTS.

Or he or she could just be bonkers!

I shall continue to comment and I shall always be recognisable. I am Excelsior! My name roughly means onward and upward, and that is what I wish for all of us. I want us all to achieve our potential, or get as close to it as we possibly can. If I can help to achieve that, then I want to.

Let us hope that we can return to the calm and respectful
discussions that we all enjoy!

Excelsior, it is so funny as I had the same thoughts as you for a while now. I wondered if a certain poster was really an ex-JW or not and if he was for real. Thank you so much for sticking up for me. I have been gone a lot during the last week and missed a lot of the ugly comments against me so I am so grateful that those who saw them stuck up for me and I echo your comments about what a great web site jwsurvey is for us all here and we how we all want to keep it that way. The last thing we need is for the Watchtower to look right in making us jw “apostates” look like nut cases. We have a genuine case against the religion and it needs to be exposed in a sane and sensible manner.

hi folks. I suppose alls well that ends well. I also am sorry that happy hen was a hoax. It will teach me to not go jumping in so quickly. It was what some of us wanted. Anyway its seems our mashed brains has got himself into a jam from mole to troll to rat .We all are damaged goods on this site and need therapy not smacking or insulting, we had enough of that when stuck in the sheep pen.So here is an apology from me if my daft comments got way too off topic with certain others here Hopfully we will all get back on track with new things to talk about. thanks Cedars for sorting this out. Note to Gem welcome back and hope all is ok. reguards ruthlee.

Aphrodite, you probably have your work cut out for you on this website. There must be so many complex characters visiting here and saying stuff that could I’m sure fill a book.

I think the Watchtower has caused so many to feel that they will fail if they break away, which makes them feel unable to. The problem is that when someone is still in it, they could easily not see what is acceptable in normal social situations. Anyway, you are very observant and I hope you do well in your studies. It is an intriguing subject.

Just finished watching your video Lloyd and I love your idea for calling your bathroom “Bethel”. I think I’ll secretly call mine that too, then when people ask me if I’ve ever been to Bethel I can say “yes, I visit it every day!”
Good points about the erroneous 1914 doctrine being in the Live Forever and Reasoning books.
Totally agree with you about TPT. I can’t even bear to watch him or listen to his self-righteous inane rants. His name for me is synonymous with “Pharisee” or at least that’s how I imagine they were and we know what Jesus thought of THEM!

I would humbly encourage you to re-read this individual’s “apology”. I saw a word there that completely negated the apology. That word was “maybe”.

I refused to accept an insincere apology.

I can do nothing about your conclusions about me. You have already made them.

I am gladdened that you would not have responded to the goading from this individual. Your studies have equipped you with the understanding required to deal with inflammatory comments by dishonest individuals.

I shall continue to comment, and to do what I decide is the right thing to do.

All of Aphrodite’s comments are instantly recognizable as Pickled Brain, Excelsior. He’s also “An Old Admirer”, more recently.

I’ve backed off from this situation, but I still don’t want to see you (in particular) waste your time indulging him in his game.

Just take a couple of minutes to analyze a few of his comments from the past, and then keep an eye out for indicators in comments from new users. It would be unwise to mention what you should look for here. Rest assured though, he’s not some kind of sophisticated double-agent. That theory is incorrect.

Realistically, he’ll eventually settle on a new ID and be accepted back into the group, working a little harder to not be offensive (lest he get in trouble again).

I’m sure Lloyd’s not interested in an unending game of userID Whac-A-Mole. So, hopefully, rather than using this site for his personal playground, PB will remember the value of it and will work for the peace of it.

Aphrodite and An Old Admirer are indeed PB. Her comments have been removed and the latest email address added to our spam filter.

PB – I am willing to play this game as long as you like. You are welcome to read the material on this website but not to comment, as you have abused the commenting function by manufacturing controversy and disorder through multiple online personalities. I suggest you move on from your fixation rather than waste my time and yours, because any comments you make that are recognizable as you will be deleted and any new email address will be blocked regardless of your sophisticated rotation of IP addresses.

I figured out it was PB just after I had commented to “Aphrodite”. I am hoping that my close textual analysis in that comment will help others see some of the things to look out for the next time they try and deceive us with yet another identity.

I can just see the following things unfold. Anthony Morris III institutes a no tight pants ruling. He tells elders to ban anyone from the field ministry that is wearing tight pants. In my estimation this ruling pertains to teenagers that have these pants. So, a teenager gets banned from the field ministry. He/she stays home and starts playing video games and starts texting his friends that he was banned from the field ministry from wearing clothes. His/her friends tell other friends via text that the Jehovah’s Witnesses do not want their high schoolers from wearing clothes in the field ministry. As with any telephone conversation game, the initial message gets changed from the reality. Worldly kids tell their parents that the Jehovah’s Witnesses do not want their children from wearing clothes. The parents, in turn, inform the police that the Jehovah’s Witnesses do not require their teenagers to wear clothes. The police inform the government that the Jehovah’s Witnesses are banning their children from wearing clothing. The government gets the judicial system involved and the Jehovah’s Witnesses Governing Body are called into question their beliefs and the whole child abuse scandal starts again with the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Anthony Morris III is questioned about this banning of children wearing clothes and he tells the judge that it is the parents fault. A judge asks for the original document banning clothes and finds out that their banning tight fit clothing. A judge fines Anthony Morris III and the Watchtower society for being stupid.

Well I won’t back down
No I won’t back down
You can stand me up at the gates of Anthony Morris the Third
But I won’t back down

No I’ll stand my ground, won’t be turned around
And I’ll keep this JW from draggin me down
gonna stand my ground
… and I won’t back down

Hey baby, there ain’t no easy way out
(and I won’t back down…)
hey I will stand my ground
and I won’t back down

Well I know what’s right, I got just one life
in a Watchtower that keeps on pushin me around
but I’ll stand my ground
…and I won’t back down

Hey baby, there ain’t no easy way out
(and I won’t back down…)
hey I will stand my ground
(I won’t back down)
and I won’t back down…

Hey baby, there ain’t no easy way out
(I won’t back down)
hey I won’t back down
(and I won’t back down)
hey baby, there ain’t no easy way out
(and I won’t back down)
hey I will stand my ground
(and I won’t back down)
and I won’t back down
(I won’t back down)
No I won’t back down..

Well, hot diggety, for those who have never cared for door knocking, they now have the perfect out: pretend to be a flaming homosexual or a butch and dress the part (according the the Society) and having to cut short your Saturday morning sleep-in to go out in service will become a distant memory! 🙂

This kind of thing right here is the reason I just left. 10-29-15 was my official exit date. If they followed the bible, then they would understand most things should be left up to conscience. But they tell you how to dress, how to groom, what you are allowed to watch, listen to, and read, what you are allowed to say, and now even what MANNERISMS you’re allowed to have. It’s arbitrary nonsense – rules of men and nothing more.

One additional thought (bullet point, as I said earlier) for those LGBTQ who think they can remain with Watchtower and “kowtow” by “passing”–

There is a very interesting secular research article published on the topic in the “Journal of Homosexuality,” “Inside and Outcast: Multifaceted Stigma and Redemption in the Lives of Gay and Lesbian Jehovah’s Witnesses” by Dr. Janja Lalich, PhD and Karla McLaren, BA (California State University). Pop-up some popcorn, and maybe a bowl of stew, because this is not a light read, but it is not an academic deluge either and will be digestible for the person-on-the-street.

Of curious note for those who are facing shunning by family, and this information from 1998 may be superceded, but, “There is some leniency
in the implementation of this no-contact rule when it comes to families,
whereby active and disfellowshipped members are allowed to have contact
with each other, and may even live in the same house, so long as there is
no discussion of WTS matters (“Discipline,” 1998). Often, whether or not to
shun a disfellowshipped member is a decision left to each family, although
many WTS writings make clear the spiritual disadvantages of doing so.”

One additional thought (bullet point, as I said earlier) for those LGBTQ who think they can remain with Watchtower and “kowtow” by “passing”:

There is a very interesting secular research article published on the topic in the “Journal of Homosexuality,” “Inside and Outcast: Multifaceted Stigma and Redemption in the Lives of Gay and Lesbian Jehovah’s Witnesses” by Dr. Janja Lalich, PhD and Karla McLaren, BA (California State University). Pop-up some popcorn, and maybe a bowl of stew, because this is not a light read, but it is not an academic deluge either and will be digestible for the person-on-the-street.

Of curious note for those who are facing shunning by family, and this information from 1998 may be superceded, but, “There is some leniency
in the implementation of this no-contact rule when it comes to families,
whereby active and disfellowshipped members are allowed to have contact
with each other, and may even live in the same house, so long as there is
no discussion of WTS matters (“Discipline,” 1998). Often, whether or not to
shun a disfellowshipped member is a decision left to each family, although
many WTS writings make clear the spiritual disadvantages of doing so.”

The problem here is a ‘thermostat’ effect; psychologists well know that, for example if you make cars safer, people drive them more dangerously; if you make finance less risky, people take greater financial risks. Same with cleanliness (which as the JWs recognise is both physical – clean body, clean clothes – also moral, clean religious standing, virtue etc). If people put great store on attending a religious service in neat, clean, clothes, their virtuosity will decline, they become more standoffish, less willing to help others, more cliquey. In fact it’s worse because you start a culture where the women especially get very competitive, edgy, neurotic, over who has the best dress; the men put great store by ‘shiny shoes and a well=pressed suit’ and ignore all the true signs of a Christian – humility, willingnes to get hands dirty helping others, study and deep analysis of the Bible. Dress and grooming, because its easy, immediate, superficial, and uber-competitive, (my shoes can always be just a bit shinier than yours) becomes the be-all and end all of a JW meeting. Just remind me, didn’t Jesys criticise the Pharisees for ultra opulent ostentatious dress (and grooming)?

For some reason known only to the likes of Tony Morris, the style of dress and grooming that was fashionable in the 1950s is what God has in mind for all Christians if they want to survive Armageddon, and anyone who wears anything more modern and fashionable is treading on thin ice.